The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-05-24

ended, and the radiant sunlight now
stands colossal, transplendent, all-glori-
ous-the object of adoring admira-
ton. the idol of his peoples hearts.
True to his convictions, it is now
demonstrably certain that his people are
true, have alwT rs been true to him.
Now and then the pulling sentimental
ism of post prandial oratOry, with face
half averted from the traditions and
faith of our fathers and with apologetic
tone in naming the Confederacy and its
leaders, civil and military, stretches dep
recatory hands northward and pirates of
a new South. But, thank God. the only
South that the true men and women of
Mississippi know, or care to know, Is
that fair South which little while ago
lay PROSTATE, helpless, bleeding: but
which now lifted up by graciously con-
curing providences and put upon her
feet once more by faithful hands, North
ern rs well as Southern, again stretches
her limbs as she enters the arena and
fixes her eyes upon the goal. New only
is she in the return of: emancipated
strength, in the spring of kindling hope,
and in the stir of awakening activity.
but old in the blood, the traditions, the
principles which give life and impart
character. These star-be-spangled heav-
els tUstt StTttCh dDoNt US,
visibly seem not the same wide arch
which hung starless above us at high
noon to-day; and yet, we know these
skies, as those which bent above our
fathers, and shall bend above our chill
dren. are the same forever and forever.
The forests, which crown the hills, en-
circling us renew their verdure and their
beauty with each recurring spring,
but we know that branches stretching
n
ward, and sturdy trunk uniting both
are one and the same forever. Condi-
tons change, environment alter, and
development advances, but law of mind,
and law of matter, change never. 1t is
the same yesterday, to-day and forever.
In fiber and texture, in Drawn and
blood, the South of yesterday and to-day
are one only.
We stand, unfiinching, unapologetic,
by the past. Nay, our prOudest JOY viii
be found in the consciousness that it was
our rare fortune to have made that past.
in great measure, what it was and is. No
matter what the future may have in
store for us, no keener Joy shall ever
gladden. our lives than that bound up in
the recollection that we served that sys-
tenn of Confederated States whose policy
jefferson Davis directed, and whose
armies Lee led. We shall never be
ooNiuCSo hOh iAo tAio hiSh
ground.
"And, Mr.. Chairman, the srIrest pledge
and promise of future loyalty is offered by
past fidelity, and deathless adherence to
truth and right, as We saw that truth
and right and fought for them The
men who can most safely be trusted now
are the men who We're truest in the past,
and who are yet true to that past. In
dulging in no intimatiOn of pleasure
over the overthrow of the Confederate
cause and Confederate armies, we yet
purpose. in this reunited Government of
our fathers, as in that whose establish
ment we undertook with stainless
faith and steady hands to dem
Onstrate the sincerity of our 10y
atty to this government, we
did to that. We strive and labor now to
advance the welfare and the honor of
the whole Union, and, with no tinge of
bitterness in our hearts, we recognize
and hail as brethren our fellow-citizens
Of the North.
But L forbear. No words of mine
can add anything to that mute express
sion of reverent affection which pulsates
in every bosom and glows in every eye,
as this evening We pay respectful hom-
age to the noblest type of American
manhood-Jefferson Davis"